Pastor Shoots Assailant in Church Gun Battle

A Florida pastor was shot this week after a church maintenance worker fired a gun at the minister.

According to Christian Today, Pastor Terry Howell, minister of Living Water Fellowship in Osceola County, was meeting with Benjamin Parangan, a church maintenance worker, to fire Parangan.

Parangan, however, fired several shots at Howell. Parangan, who was also armed, returned fire.

Parangan is in stable condition in the hospital, but will be charged with aggravated assault with intent to kill.

"We are in full support of the on-going Osceola County Sheriff's Office investigation into the traumatic incident that occurred at our church this morning,” said Living Water Church in a statement. “We will continue to cooperate with the investigators in every way that we can. Until the investigation is complete, we will not be making any public statements. Thank you for understanding. The members of our church will continue to pray for all those involved in this morning's incident. We would ask all who read this release to do the same."

A church member said: To hear it happened in my neighborhood, and not only my neighborhood, but my church, it’s shocking. It could happen anywhere though, in the times we live in. Really unfortunate.”